A wide-ranging coalition of religious freedom and human rights organizations highlighted ongoing challenges in China and Saudi Arabia at an April 11 meeting.

The event was hosted by the International Religious Liberty Association and chaired by Robert Seiple, former United States Ambassador for Religious Freedom, who said such a coalition was vital in tackling the challenges of international religious freedom.

“We should do this because nobody else does this,” Seiple commented. “Religious freedom has had some problems of visibility since 9/11. There needs to be a place where such organizations can come together and work together for solutions.”

Representatives from over 30 different groups including government observers met at the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, and surveyed the continuing religious freedom violations in China and Saudi Arabia.

Eugene Hsu, vice-president of the IRLA and a vice president of the Adventist world church, identified several principles in dealing with the Chinese authorities on matters of religious freedom. He commented on the need for balance between “hard” and “soft” approaches, and noted that in the mind of the Chinese government, religious groups are inter-related. Also it was important to recognize the different levels of implementation of rules on religion.

“There are many rules, interpreted and implemented differently at the local levels,” said Hsu. “We can approach them from the national level, but may want to consider approaching the local levels. Also the Chinese are pragmatic and utilitarian. If you have something they want, they’ll work on it. They don’t want or care about religious freedom. But if other groups/corporations promote religious freedom as well, and they have something to offer the Chinese government, they may listen. The more valuable your services are, the more they are willing to work with you.”

In the case of Saudi Arabia, the coalition considered that the events of September 11 provided opportunities to work for change in the religious freedom climate of Saudi Arabia, since so many of the hijackers were from that country.

“The world has recognized that many of the hijackers came from Saudi Arabia, and that this brand of religion has been exported to many places,” commented John Graz, IRLA secretary-general. “Islam is claimed to be a religion of peace, rejecting coercion in religion. In that case it is appropriate to ask the reason for the detention and imprisonment of Christians and others in Saudi Arabia. There is an opportunity for coalitions like this group to put religious freedom principles to religious and political leaders in Saudi Arabia.”

The coalition also examined proposals drafted by IRLA legislative affairs director James Standish that would call on international corporations doing business in such countries to sign statements guaranteeing their support for fundamental religious freedom rights. Participants included representatives from various faith groups including Adventists Bahais, Baptists, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and Scientologists, as well as interfaith organizations, academic institutions, legal associations and U.S. government observers.